Burton pre-schoolers are hoping to spread a little Christmas cheer with a festive visit to elderly residents of a nearby care home.

Youngsters from the Co-op Childcare Nursery, based at Queen's Hospital, will visit Carden Bank care home for a festive tea party to celebrate the Christmas period on Christmas Eve.

They will also be bringing along some handmade Christmas cards and musical instruments to enjoy a sing-a-long with the residents as a special Christmas treat for the new friends they have made at the home.

It is not the first time the tots have been to visit the residents, as the youngsters have been going to the care home in Belvedere Road on a regular basis for most of this year - after research has proven trips such as this help both the children and elderly residents with development, memory, speech and mental health.

When the programme first began in April this year, the visits took place fortnightly, but now are organised on a weekly basis due to their popularity.

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During each visit, youngsters take part in activities ranging from planting sunflower seeds and decorating biscuits, to making friendship bracelets and writing letters to Santa.

The elderly residents have also been putting on their dancing slippers to take part in 'Boogiemites', which promotes learning through music and movement.

Kerry Davies, care manager at the home, said: "It's great to give our residents the chance to tell their stories to the younger generation, and even take part in activities like drawing and dancing, which they wouldn't have been able to do at the start of the programme.

Pre-schoolers and elderly residents have been getting into the Christmas spirit (Image: Co-op Childcare)

"It's definitely helped to put a spring in their step, and it's been amazing to see the power that young people can have."

Mollie Wain, deputy manager at the nursery, said: "It's been so heartwarming to see the bonds that have formed between our children and the residents.

"The children look forward to going every week and often refer to the visits as 'going to their friend's house' or 'going to see Gwen' rather than calling it a care home."